The Impact of Smart Metering Mobile Application on Residential Electricity Consumption: Evidence from South Korea

This study examines the relationship between mobile app usage and residential electricity consumption. We focus on how smart meter feedback influences energy-saving behaviors under a progressive tariff system in South Korea. The study uses a combination of three datasets—daily electricity consumption, mobile app access logs, and demographic survey data—gathered from 284 households. A panel vector autoregression (VAR) model and a difference-in-difference (DID) approach are used to analyze the dynamic relationship between app engagement and energy use. The results show that daily app access does not significantly affect electricity consumption, on average. However, under a progressive tariff system, households nearing a tariff stage threshold demonstrate a reduction in electricity use when engaging with the app. This effect is strongest among households with smaller living areas, smaller household size, and no children. This study is among the first to provide empirical evidence on the impact of smart metering mobile apps in a real-world setting. Our findings underscore the importance of tailored feedback strategies to maximize energy efficiency through smart meter technology.